Best in Bed. Sleeping With Pets

By Shelley Stockwell-Nicholas, PhD

Country-folk say, “If you’re cold, grab another dog.” Such attitudes go far into history. Ancient Aztecs specifically bred small “tehichi” pups as practical “bed warmers.” Chihuahuas are descendants of this breed. Ancient Egyptians cherished their cats, dogs baboons and monkeys and even mummified them so the could be companions in the long sleep of death and eternity.

Researchers add, “co-sleeping” with a warm-blooded fur baby not only warms you, it brings emotional wellbeing! Studies show that dog owners sleep longer at night than non-dog owners, and have a greater sense of security. A rhythmic heartbeat actually releases comforting human bonding hormones, like oxytocin, that enhance sleep.

If you sleep with your pet, you’re not alone… literally… and you join about seventy-one percent of Americans who snooze with their pets.

Certainly, pets can be disruptive because of varying sleep-wake cycles and temperatures. Cats love to play at night and dogs may bark when startled. Yet, even with disruption, people who sleep with pets rarely report it as an issue. In fact, pet owners say that companionship with their animal brings a sense of purpose, reduces loneliness and evokes better rest. Those who sleep with pets say that they are more motivated, keep better daily and sleep schedules, and have more restful slumber.

To sleep with a pet is a personal choice. To see if it benefits you, test it for a few nights and you too may be hooked on the added warmth, cuddles and heartbeat. If you then vote “yes” consider some rules…

1. How will it affect your mate?

2. How will it affect your love life?

3. How will it affect your sleep?

4. Does your pet snore?

5. Where do you want them? On top? Under the covers? At pillow? On the foot of the bed?

Dr. Mary Rose (Baylor University) says “co-sleeping with trained pets” offers “emotional support” and assists sleepwalkers, nightmares and neurologically challenges that can cause injury and upset. (Hypnosis too is of great help as well.) In a study of people with sleep disorders who slept with their pets, about half the pets were not disruptive and benefitted sleep.

Sleep expert, Michael J. Breus, PhD, suggests that you “take a few sleep tips from Fido” because a 2017 study shows that dogs had a sleep efficiency of 85% while their cohabiting humans averaged sleep efficiency of 81% (that is above the 80% threshold considered satisfactory).

SERVICE DOGS TO THE RESCUE

US Veterans Affairs Medical Centers are now training service dogs to comfort their charge at the first signs of a stressful nightmare. For those who have sleep apnea dogs are trained to pad a paw to alert CPAP users if their mask slips off. For sleepwalkers a dog will redirect and block from the person to be safe. Narcolepsy service dogs help those with a neurological sleep disorder to identify and warn of an oncoming sleep disruption and actually use themselves as a shield to help protect patients from a fall or injury. Special training is needed here to protect both the person and the service dog.

So kiss Rover or Meowser good night; then turn off the light and enjoy a great night’s rest.

Local Personality, Shelley Stockwell-Nicholas, PhD is a hypnotherapist, mindfulness and NLP trainer, artist and the author of 25 books. She certifies practitioners through the International Hypnosis Federation.

You can call her at 310 541-4844 or email at shelleynicholas@cox.net